Intermittent book feed mechanism



Nov. 3, 1964 J. H. THORP 3,155,220

INTERMITTENT BOOK FEED MECHANISM Filed Sept. 23, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR.

JAMES H. THORP A TTOR/VEYS FIG:

Nov. 3, 1964 Y J. H. THORP INTERMITTENT BOOK FEED MECHANISM Filed sept.25, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

mu Inglam Nov. 3, 1964 I Y J. H. THORP 3,155,220

IIIQITERMITTENT soox FEED MECHANISM Filed Sept. 23, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet3 32 FIG. 4 y I 1 I I I 1/0 I I 44 fl /3.? I #0 g;

i i m F G. 5 m I J. H. THORP 3,155,220

INTERMITTENT BOOK FEED MECHANISM Nov. 3, 1964 Filed Sept. 25. 1960 5Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 3, 1964 J. H. THORP 3,155,220

INTERMITTENT BOOK FEED MECHANISM Filed Sept. 23. 1960 5 Sheets-Shee t 5United States Patent 3,155,22tl INTERMITTENT BGGK FEED MEQHANKSM SamesH. Tharp, Hartford, Conn, assignor to The myth lltannfacturing Company,Bloomfield, onn., a corporation of Qonneeticut Filed Sept. 23, 1969,Ser. No. 58,029 3 Claims. (ill. 198-64) This invention relates to anintermittent book feed mechanism adapted to receive books in successionfrom a continuous feed conveyor and to elevate the books one at a timeand at regular intervals to a book receiving device. More specifically,the invention relates to a feed mechanism of this general type which isparticularly adapted for, but which is not limited to, use in a bookforming and pressing machine of the general type disclosed in thecopending application of Carl Schramm, Serial No. 751,452, filed July28, 1958, now Patent No. 3,016,550, and entitled Book Forming andPressing Machine.

Intermittent book feed mechanisms of the general type referred to haveheretofore been provided, but they have not been found entirelysatisfactory. For example, the above-mentioned Schramm applicationdiscloses a mechanism of this general type wherein books from acontinuous feed conveyor are received in succession in a channel betweenparallel passes of a pair of endless conveyor belts. The books arearrested in their movement through the channel by movable stop means andare then permitted to pass one at a time at the urging of the conveyorbelts. On discharge from the channel, the books are received insuccession by an elevator which lifts the books in succession to a bookreceiving device. The elevator is adapted to receive a book only when apreceding book has been delivered to the book receiving device and whenthe elevator has thereafter completed its return or downward stroke.Thus, an indirect but nonetheless mandatory limitation is imposed on themaximum attainable operating speed of the conveyor belts and theirassociated stop means. There is also a direct limitation on theoperating speed of the said belts and stop means, this resulting fromthe fact that the books are held by the stop means with the conveyorbelts passing over and in feeding engagement with the covers thereof.Obviously, high speed operation of the conveyor belts, such as wouldincrease the overall speed of operation of the mechanism, may result inbook covers which are burned or otherwise marred by the conveyor beltsduring the time when the books are held by the stop means.

It is the general object of the present invention to provide anintermittent book feed mechanism of the type mentioned which is capableof feeding books in succession more rapidly and more positively than hasheretofore been possible, but in which the books are neverthelesshandled with extreme care to the end that burns and other deleteriousetfects on the covers thereof are avoided.

A more specific object of the invention resides in the provision of abook feed mechanism of the type mentioned which includes a deviceadapted topositively stop and feed books one at a time and at regularintervals as to a receiving table, the said device including alternatelyoperative stop and feed means both particularly adapted to handle booksrapidly and carefully without damage to their covers.

Another specific object of the invention resides in the provision of abook feed mechanism which includes an elevator operatively associatedwith a receiving table and adapted to lift books therefrom for deliveryto a book receiving device, provision being made for the delivery ofbooks to the receiving table at any time during the latter portion ofupward strokes and during return or ICE downward strokes of theelevator. to the end that the maximum operating speed of the feedmechanism may be substantially increased.

The drawings show two embodiments of the invention and such embodimentswill be described, but it will be understood that various changes may bemade from the constructions disclosed, and that the drawings anddescription are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope ofthe invention, the claims forming a part of this specification beingrelied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front view of a book forming and pressingmachine incorporating an intermittent book feed mechanism embodying thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a book stop and feed deviceforming a part of the feed mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the book stop and feed device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section taken generally asindicated by the line 44 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a plan view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a stop and feeddevice employed in a book feed mechanism constituting an alternativeembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a pair of control cams usable with thebook stop and feed device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view of a book elevator assembly forming apart of the book feed mechanism of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a vertical transverse section as indicated by the line 8-8 inFIG. 7.

Environment and General Arrangement As mentioned above, the intermittentbook feed mechanism of the present invention is otherwise usable but isparticularly adapted for use in the book forming and pressing machinedisclosed in the above-identified Schramm application. As is fullydescribed in said application, the said machine is adapted to form andpress books after their covers have been secured as by pasting butbefore the paste has fully set. The forming and pressing operations arecarried out at and between a plurality of stations arranged in acircular path and the books are transported from station to station on arotary turret which carries the book forming and pressing equipment.Presser units, forming part of this equipment, and which may becharacterized as book receiving devices, are rotated in succession to aloading station for receipt of books. A single book is delivered to apresser unit at the loading station and the unit thereafter retains thebook during intermittent movement through the several stations in themachine until a final station is reached where the book is discharged bythe presser unit fully formed and pressed.

in FIG. 1, the book forming and pressing machine of the Schrammapplication is partially shown with a main housing thereof indicatedgenerally at 16. The aforementioned rotary turret and the forming andpressing equipment carried thereby are located at an upper portion ofthe machine and are not shown, but the position of a presser unitdisposed at the aforementioned loading station is indicated generally bythe broken line 12. Located below the loading station of the machine isan elevator assembly 14 and operatively associated with said assembly isa book stop and feed device indicated generally at 16. The elevatorassembly 14 and the book stop and feed device to constitute theprincipal elements of the intermittent book feed mechanism of thepresent invention and said elements serve cooperatively to feed booksone at a time and at regular intervals to the loading station of thebook forming and pressing machine.

taken generally Books are delivered to the feed mechanism in successionby a continuous feed conveyor indicated generally at 13 and which may beloaded manually or by automatic loading means. The book stop and feeddevice 16 initially receives the books from the conveyor 18, arreststheir movement for timed intervals, and feeds the same individually andin succession to the elevator assembly 14. At the elevator assembly thebooks are lifted successively to the loading station where they arereceived and held by presser units located at the position 12. As willbe seen, operation of the feed mechanism is rapid and positive and yetcare is taken to avoid damage to the book covers. Books are of coursedelivered successively to the loading station in suitably timed relationwith the operation of the forming and pressing machine so that eachpresscr unit is supplied with a book as it reaches the position 12 atthe loading station.

Book Stop and Feed Device Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3,it will be observed that the book stop and feed device 1 6 receivesbooks successively from the continuous feed conveyor 18 in an elongatedchannel 20 having an inlet end located adjacent said conveyor and adischarge end. The continuous feed conveyor 18 is equipped with spacedlongitudinal guide plates 22, 22 between which the books pass inlongitudinal alignment. The books may be in end abutting relationshipbetween the guide plates 22, 22, or they may be spaced apartlongitudinally as shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the books are arranged inedgewise fashion on the continuous feed conveyor 18 with their bindingedges facing downwardly and the books are so received in the channel 20of the stop and feed device 16. While this arrangement of the books isessential when the feed mechanism of the present invention is used inthe book forming and pressing machine shown, the said mechanism can bereadily adapted to handle books arranged in various other attitudes orpositions as may be required in other book handling machines.

In the presently preferred form of the stop and feed device 16, theelongated book receiving channel 2% is defined by an elongated flat baseplate 24 and by similar flat elongated first and second side plates 26and 28. The base plate 24 is fixedly supported as by means of a bracket39, best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, mounted on the machine housing and oneend of said plate is located adjacent the discharge end of thecontinuous feed conveyor 13 so as to receive books therefrom. The firstside plate 25 is fixedly supported by means not shown along one edgeportion of the base plate 24 and, preferably, said side plate 26 isadapted for transverse adjustment so as to accommodate books of varyingthickness in the channel 20. The second side plate 28 is preferablysupported for horizontal swin ing movement about a vertical axisadjacent the discharge end of the continuous conveyor 13. As shown, saidsecond side plate extends adjacent an opposite side edge portion of thebase plate 24 and is supported for horizontal swinging movement about avertical shaft 32. That is, an enlargement 34 on the side plate 28adjacent the discharge end of the conveyor 13 is provided with avertical bore 35 which loosely receives the shaft 32. As best shown inFIG. 4, a collar 33 is fixedly mounted on the shaft 3-2 and supports theenlargement 3d vertically for horizontal swinging movement of the sideplate 23 about the shaft. Swinging movement of the side plate 28 isetected by means and for a purpose to be set forth hereinafter.

It will be apparent that a book entering the channel 2% of the stop andfeed device 16 will initially slide along the base plate 24- at theurging of the continuous teed conveyor i8. When the rear edge of thebook reaches the end of the conveyor 18, the book will neverthelesscontinue to slide through said channel at the urging of succeeding bookstl erebehind. Thus, Whether books on the conveyor 18 are in end abuttingor longitudinally spaced relationship, books within the channel 2% ofthe stop and feed device will assume an abutting endto-encl relationshipfor discharge in succession from said channel. In accordance with thepresent invention, the discharge of books from the channel 29 iscontrolled by book stop and feed means so that books are discharged fromthe channel one at a time and at regular intervals. The stop means ismovable from an external position into said channel to engage and hold alead book at a feed position against the urging of the bookstherebehind. The feed means is normally out of engagement with a leadbook at the feed position, but said means is movable into engagementwith such a book to transport the same toward the discharge end of thechannel. As will be seen, the stop means and the feed means are operatedalternately so that successive lead books are first held in the channel20 and are then discharged therefrom.

In the book stop and feed device 16 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, theaforesaid stop means includes first and second stop means or, morespecifically, a first or front pair of stop fingers 4d, 40 and a secondor rear pair of stop fingers 42, 42. Preferably, and as shown, all ofsaid fingers are of like construction. Each of the fingers is movabletransversely into and out of the book receiving channel 2'3 and the twofingers of each pair are movable in unison but in opposite directions.The fingers 4t), 40 are movable transversely into and out of the channel2-3! through suitable openings 44, 44 in the side plates 26 and 23respectively and the fingers 42, 42 pass through similar openings 46, 46in said plates during transverse movement of the same.

In FIG. 3 a support and operating means 43 for one of the fingers 49,and one of the fingers 4-2, 42 is shown adjacent the side plate 26 andit will be understood that an identical support and operating means 43is provided for the remaining two stop fingers .0 and 42 adjacent thesecond side plate 28. Said support and operating means includes a guideand support member 4-3 for said one finger 4t) and a similar guide andsupport member St) for said one finger 42. The fingers 40 and 42 areslidably held in their respective guide and support members 4% and 5tand each of said fingers has a bifurcated outer end portion. Thebifurcated outer end portion of the finger 43 carries a small verticalpin 52 which extends through vertically spaced arms 54 and 56 of saidportion and which projects above and below the same. A similar verticalpin 58 extends through the bifurcated outer end portion of the finger 42and said pin projects above and below vertically spaced arms as and 62of said finger portion. Small coil springs 64 and 66, attachedrespectively to upper and lower end portions of the pin 52, have theiropposite ends attached to the side plate 26 and serve to bias the saidone finger 4% into the channel 2%. Similar small coil springs 68 and78*, attached respectively to upper and lower end portions of the pin58, have their opposite ends attached to the side plate 26 and serve tobias the said one finger 42 into the channel 26.

In FIG. 3 it will be seen that the small vertical pins 52 and 53 of thesupport and operating means 43 shown have an actuating arm 72operatively associated therewith. Said arm is fixedly connected atapproximately its midpoint with a vertical drive pin 74 so as to beswung about the axis of the pin within a horizontal groove 76 inamounting block J55. A crank arm fit connected at one end with the drivepin 74, is connected at its opposite end with a drive link 82 which, inturn, is connected at opposite ends with push rods 84 and 8-? ofsolenoids 88 and 9t). Said solenoids 38 and it can be energizedalternately to reverse the positions of the stop fingers 4t and 42. Whenthe solenoids are energized and de-energized respectively as requiredtomove the drive link 82 to the position shown in FIG. 3, the actuatingarm 72 is held in the position shown. In this position of the actuatingarm, the finger 40 is urged into the channel 28 by the aforementionedsprings 64- and 66, the actuating arm serving to limit the inwardmovement of the finger by engagement with the pin 52. The finger 42, onthe other hand, is retracted from the channel 2% as shown by engagementof the arm 72 with the pin 58. When energized and de-energizedconditions of the solenoids 88 and 9%) are reversed, the drive link 82is moved leftwardly, the actuating arm 72 is swung in a counterclockwisedirection, and the stop finger 49 is retracted from the channel 2% whilethe finger 42 is moved into the channel by spring pressure. From theforegoing, it will be apparent that the solenoids 88 and 91 togetherwith their counterparts in the support and operating means not shown,may be operated to move the front stop fingers 46, 4t and the rear stopfingers 42, 42 to the positions shown. In this position of the fingers,the front stop fingers 4t), 4t) engage and hold a lead book, such as thebook L, at a feed position in the channel 2t) against the urging of thebooks therebehind. The said solenoids may then be operated to cause thefront fingers 40, 40 to be withdrawn from the channel 26 and theaforementioned feeding means may be moved into feeding engagement withthe lead book L to transpont the same toward the discharge end of thechannel 29. As will be seen, the feed means transports a lead booktoward the discharge end of the channel 24.? at a rate in excess of therate of movement of books into said channel. Thus, during discharge ofthe lead book L from the channel 20, a gap will occur between the sameand a succeeding book S shown in FIG. 3. The rear fingers 42, 42 areheld against the sides of the lead book L by spring pressure as the bookpasses thereby and said fingers snap into the gap between said book andthe book S whereby to engage the leading edge portion of the book S andto arrest the movement of the same into the channel 23. On furtheroperation of the solenoids urging the front fingers 4t), 40 into thechannel and returning the rear fingers :2,

42 to their retracted positions shown in FIG. 3, the book S will bemoved into the channel by line pressure until it engages the front stopfingers 4t 443 as to be held at the feed position in the channel.

The movable feed means which transports books from the feed positiontoward the discharge end of the channel may take a wide variety offorms. In the presently preferred form, said means comprises a firstendless conveyor belt 92 which has one or an inner pass 94 disposedlongitudinally in the channel 29 adjacent the first side plate 26. Saidmeans preferably also comprises a second endless conveyor belt 96 whichhas one or an inner pass 98 disposed longitudinally in the channel 2dadjacent the second side plate 28. Preferably and as shown, the conveyorbelts 92 and @6 are of the cog type and said belts are supported anddriven by suitable pulleys so that their inner passes 94 and fit, movein the same direction and at the same speed toward the discharge end ofthe channel 20. The rate of movement of the inner passes 94 and 98 ofthe belts toward the discharge end of the channel 24 is preferably inexcess of the rate of movement of books into the channel 20 to providefor the aforementioned gap between a lead book L and a succeeding book Sduring discharge of the lead book.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the first conveyor belt 5 2 is supported by andis operatively engaged with an idler cog pulley 18%) mounted on abracket M2 on the side plate 26 adjacent the inlet end of the channel29. A pulley ill) drives the belt 2 and is connected with suitabledriven means not shown but which may be conveniently located in a gearbox 104 therebeneath. An arm 112 extends from the pulley 110 to thebracket 162 to adjustably support the latter and to thereby provide thelateral adjustment of the side plate 26. Adjacent the discharge end ofthe channel 20 the belt 92 is mounted on and is sup ported by a freelyrotatable cog pulley 1% carried by a bracket 108 on the side plate 26.

The second endless conveyor belt 96 is supported on and is driven by acog pulley 114 disposed adjacent the inlet end of the channel 253. InFIG. 4 it will be observed that the pulley 114 is rotatably mounted onthe aforementioned vertical shaft 32 below the collar 38 thereon. Saidpulley is formed integrally with a drive gear 116 and a connectingsleeve 118 and the unit comprising the pulley, the drive gear, and thesleeve is supported vertically on the shaft 32 by a collar 12% fixedlysecured to the shaft. The drive gear 116 is driven by suitable means notshown within the gear box 1% so that the pulley 114, will be rotated insynchronism with the aforementioned drive pulley lib. Adjacent thedischarge end of the channel 2%, the second conveyor belt 96 is engagedwith and supported by a freely rotatable cog pulley 122 best shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. The pulley 122 is supported by a bracket 124 secured tothe second side plate 28.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the second side plate 28may be swung horizontally about the shaft 32 to move the inner pass 98of the second conveyor belt 96 into and out of feeding engagement with abook L at the feed position within the channel 20. In the positionshown, the side plate 28 and the pulley 122 thereon hold the inner pass98 of the conveyor belt 96 out of feeding engagement with a book L atthe feed position. Said inner pass 98 and the inner pass 94 of the firstconveyor belt 92 may pass lightly over and in engagemtnt with the coversof the book L, but such engagement is insufiicient for positive feedingof the book and does not result in burning or other detrimental effectson the covers thereof. When the side plate 28 is swung horizontallyinwardly so as to move the inner pass 98 of the conveyor belt 96approximately to the position indicated by broken line in FIG. 3, saidinner pass is placed in feeding engagement with a book L at the feedposition in the channel 20. This engagement is such that the book ispositively gripped between the pass 98 of the belt $6 and the inner passM of the belt a2 for transport to a discharge end of the channel Ztl.

In order that successive lead books may be discharged from the channel2%) at regular intervals after delivery to the feed position, the sideplate 23 must be swung inwardly and outwardly in timed relation with theoperation of the aforementioned stop fingers 4t), 40 and the stopfingers 42, 42. The presently preferred means for intermittentlyswinging the side plate 28 and the inner pass 98 of the conveyor belt 9sinwardly and outwardly will now be described with particular referenceto FIG. 4. In said figure it will be observed that the side plate 28 hasa short arm 126 attached thereto by suitable screws 128, 128. The arm 1%depends below the side plate 28 and has an aperture 139 therein whichreceives an outer end portion of a horizontal drive pin 132. A stop nut134 on the outer end portion of the pin 132 engages an outer surface ofthe arm 126 and tends to pull said arm and swing the plate 28 inwardlyat the urging of a spring 136. The spring 136 is disposed between a stopnut 138 on the inner end portion of the pin 132 and a bracket 140 on thebase plate 24- which slidably holds the said pin. One end portion of abell crank 142 which is pivotally supported by a horizontal pin 144engages a small transverse lug 146 on the drive pin 132 and holds thesame in an inner position as shown against the urging of the spring 136.The bell crank 14?, is swung about the pivot pin 144 by means of avertically reciprocable link 148 to allow the drive pin 132 to move toan inner position at the urging of the spring 136, and to urge the saiddrive pin to the outer position shown against the spring bias.

Returning now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the link 148 isconnectedwith a horizontal cam lever 150 so as to be reciprocated verticallythereby. The cam lever 159 is pivotally supported by a pin 152 andcarries a cam roller type cam 156 mounted on a shaft 158 which isjournaled in a support plate 160. Said shaft 158 also carries a 'seconddisc cam 162 operatively associated with a micro- V sausa e 7 switch3.54. The microswitch is connected, by suitable electrical means notshown, with the solenoids 88, 88 and 9t), 99 for operating the frontstop fingers 4%, it? and the rear stop fingers 42, 42. The shaft 158 mayform a part of the forming and pressing machine and said shaft may bedriven by power operating means for the machine as best illustrated inFIG. 1.

Observing that the cam shaft 158 rotates in a counterclockwise directionas shown, cyclic operation of the stop and feed device 16 will bereadily understood. In the position of the shaft 158 shown, a flat 16%on the cam 162 is in engagement with an actuating plunger 1'76 of themicroswitch 164- and said switch is in a first position wherein itconnects solenoids 3%, 88 and 99, 9! so that the fingers 4t 4t? and 42,42 are moved to the positions shown in FIG. 3. In this position of thestop fingers, a lead book L is held at the feed position with asucceeding book S disposed therebehind as described above.Simultaneously, a fiat 172 on the cam 156 is approaching the cam roller15 but has not yet engaged the same. Accordingly, the cam roller 154 isin a downward position and the cam lever 150, the vertical link 148, thebell crank 142, the drive pin 132 etc., and the swingable side plate 28are in the positions shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Thus, the inner passes 94and 98 of the conveyor belts 92 and 96 pass lightly over and inengagement with the opposite covers of the lead book L at the feedposition, but said belt passes are not in feeding engagement with thecovers.

On further rotation of the cam shaft 158, the fiat 163 on the cam 162will pass the actuating plunger 170 of the microswitch 164 causing saidplunger to be depressed to move the switch to a second position. In thesecond position of the microswitch 162, the solenoids 88, 88 and 9d, 96)are operated so as to retract the front stop fingers 4t 40 and free therear stop fingers 42, 42 for inward movement at the urging of theaforementioned springs associated therewith. Said fingers 42, 42,however, engage the opposite covers of the lead book L at the urging ofthe springs and they are prevented from entering the channel 2%.Approximately at the time the microswitch is moved from its first to itssecond position, the flat 172 on the cam 155 engages the cam roller 154allowing the same to move upwardly and effecting clockwise rotation ofthe cam lever 154) about its pivot pin 152. This results in a downwardmovement of the link 148, in clockwise rotation of the bell crank 14?.in FIG. 4, and in inward movement of the drive pin 132, inward movementof the swing able side plate 28, and in inward movement of the innerpass 93 of the second conveyor belt 96. The said inner pass 98 is thusplaced in feeding engagement with the lead book L at the feed posititonand urges the came against the inner pass 94 of the belt 92 fortransport of the book to the discharge end of the channel 29. The stopfingers 42, 42 snap into the gap between the lead book L and asucceeding book S whereby to arrest movement of the book S in thechannel 2t After a short interval of time, the fiat 1'72 on the cam 156passes the cam roller 154 and the swingable side plate 28 and the innerpass 98 of the conveyor belt 96 are swung to their outer positions. Whenthe fiat 168 on the cam 1162 again engages the actuating plunger 1749 onthe microswitch 164, the fingers 4-9, 49 and the fingers 42, as areagain moved to the positions shown in FIG. 3 and the book S is urged tothe feed position by line pressure for a succeeding cycle of operation.

Now, with regard to the timing of the operation of the book stop andfeed device 15, it will be observed that the inner belt passes 94 and 98must be maintained in feeding engagement with a lead book, such as thebook L, until the book has been fully discharged or accelerated for discharge by momentum fronrthe channel Thus, if said two belt passes areparallel with respect to each other throughout their length, the sideplate 23 must be held at its inner position to hold the belt pass 98 infeeding engagement with a lead book until it has been discharged 3 orsubstantially discharged from the channel. This may present a problem inthat a succeeding book, such as book S, may reach a position in thechannel 2% wherein the inner belt passes 94 and 98 are in feedingengagement therewith prior to complete discharge of the book L.Particularly in the case of short books, a rapid advancement of asucceeding book S into engagement with the rear stop fingers 42, 62 mayresult and there may be a short period of time wherein the inner passes94 and 93 of the belts 92 and 96 slide over the covers of such a book infeeding engagement with the covers thereof and with the book stationary.This obviously may result in book covers which are burned or otherwisemarred by the belts.

One method of avoiding burning or marring of the covers of succeedingbooks held by the stop fingers 42, 42 involves shortening the intervalof time during which the inner pass 98 of the belt 96 is held at itsinner position. This may be accomplished by arranging the inner passes94 and 98 of the belts 92 and 96 so that they converge slightly towardthe discharge end of the channel 29. Such arrangement of the innerpasses of the conveyor belts is provided for in the embodiment of theinvention shown and, more specifically, said inner passes are arrangedadjacent the discharge end of the channel 2i) so as to be in feedingengagement with a book disposed therebetween even when the side plate 28and the inner belt pass 98 reside at their outer positions. Thus, it isonly necessary for the said side plate and belt pass to be held at theirinner positions for a relatively short period of time and until a leadbook L is transported from the feed position a predetermined shortdistance toward the discharge end of the channel 20. Once the book hasbeen transported through this predetermined distance, the inner beltpasses will complete the discharge movement of the book regardless ofthe position of the belt pass 98.

In FIG. 5 there is shown a book stop and feed device le constituting apart of an intermittent book feed mechanism which forms an alternativeembodiment of the present invention. The book stop and feed device 16 isidentical with the book stop and feed device 16 with the exception ofthe construction and operation of the stop fingers and the means foroperating the same. More specifically, only one stop means, or one pairof stop fingers ill 4%, is provided in the stop and feed device to. Thefingers id ifi are moved into and out of a book receiving channel Zit bytwo similar operating means 43 43 only one of which is shown. Theoperating means 43 shown comprises solenoids 88 and 9%, drive link 82crank arm Sit actuating arm 72 small vertical pin 52, and upper andlower springs 64 and 6-5 (the latter not shown). Each of the elements ofthe operating means 43 is identical with the corresponding elements ofthe operating means 43 except for the actuating arm 72 which may beforeshortened due to the absence of a second or rear pair of stopfingers.

In operation of the stop and feed device 16*, the fingers 4th, th aredisposed in the channel 20 at the positions shown at the beginning of acycle of operation. The fingers are withdrawn from the channelmomentarily and feed means comprising inner passes 94- and 9% ofconveyor belts 92 and 96 are brought into feeding engagement with a leadbook, such as the book L to transport the same from the channel 29*. Asthe book L passes the fingers 4 W, 49 the solenoids 88 and 99 and theircounterparts in the operating means 43 not shown, are operated to permitthe said fingers to move inwardly against the opposite covers of thebook at the urging of their biasing springs. As the trailing edges ofthe covers of the lead book pass the fingers 40 40*,the

S at the feed position in the channel 28*.

'switch 164 and a cam roller 154 In FIG. 6 two cams 162 and 156 areshown schematically operatively associated respectively with a micro-Each of said elements, with the exception of the cam 162 may beidentical with the corresponding elements of FIG. 2 in construction andoperation. The cam 162 has a flat 168* which is like the fiat 168, butwhich is substantially shorter than said flat. The fiat 161 provides forextension of an actuating plunger 17% of the switch 164 for a smallportion of the cycle of operation of the device. The length of said flat168 is such that the solenoids 88 and 90 and their counterparts, will beoperated during said portion of the cycle of operation to retract thefingers 40 48 Retraction of the fingers occurs for a period of timesufiicient only for the leading edges of the covers of a lead book L topass the same as the book is transported toward the discharge end of thechannel 20 Thereafter, and as the fiat 168 passes the plunger 170*, thesolenoids are operated and the fingers are permitted to engage the bookcovers under spring pressure so as to enter the gap between said bookand a succeeding book in the manner described.

Book Elevator Assembly The elevator or elevator assembly 14 is adaptedto receive books as they are discharged one at a time and at regularintervals from the book stop and feed device 16 or from the book stopand feed device 16 In the elevator assembly the books are lifted one ata time and at regular intervals to a book receiving device such as apresser unit at the loading station of the book forming and pressingmachine shown. As best illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the elevator orelevator assembly 14 includes a stationary book receiving tableindicated generally at 174 and which includes a plurality of similartransverse members supported in longitudinally spaced relationship witheach other. Said transverse members preferably take the form ofhorizontal transversely extending rollers 176, 176 and, as best shown inFIG. 8, each roller 176 is supported for free rotation about a shaft 178 disposed there- Within. Inner end portions of the shafts 1'78, 178 arefixedly secured to an inner book guide means comprising a plate 180 bymeans of suitable nuts 182, 182. The outer end portion of each shaft 178carries a slotted nut 184 which holds the associated roller 176 axiallyon the shaft.

The inner guide means comprising the plate 18% extends verticallyupwardly from the book receiving table 174 and may be secured, as bymeans of suitable screws 187, 187 to an adjacent frame portion 188 ofthe book forming and pressing machine. As will be seen, said guide means189 indirectly supports a second guide means spaced transverselyoutwardly therefrom and indicated generally at 186. The outer guidemeans 185 extends upwardly from the book receiving table 174 andcooperates with the inner guide plate 189 to guide and support books asthey are delivered to and elevated from the book receiving table 174. Asbest shown in FIG; 7, the inner guide plate 180 is provided with a notch19% for receiving an end portion of the aforementioned base plate 24 ofthe book stop and feed device 16 or the base plate 24 of the device 16Thus, it will be seen that books may be discharged from either of thebook stop and feed devices described onto the receiving table 174. Asmentioned above, books are handled by the book stop and feed devices inedgewise attitudes with their binding edges facing downwardly and thebooks are so delivered to the receiving table 174 as is illustrated by abook B in FIG. 8. A book delivered to the receiving table 174 passeslongitudinally over said table between the aforesaid glide means withthe rollers 176, 176 turning freely therebeneath, and the book isstopped on said table at a selected longitudinal position by suitablestop means not shown.

As best shown in P16. 7, the aforementioned outer book guide means 186comprises a series of five similar vertically extending guide plates192, 192, a vertically extending left-hand side plate 194 of greaterwidth than the plates 122, 192, and a right-hand side plate 196 which isalso of greater width than the plates 192, 122. All of the plates of theguide means 136 are equally spaced longitudinally with respect to eachother and said plates are connected together at their lower end portionsby means of a longitudinally extending tie bar 198. There are sevenrollers 17%, 176 provided in the embodiment of the invention shown andsaid rollers project outwardly respectively through suitable openings inthe seven plates of the guide means 186. The spaces between said rollersand the spaces between the several plates of the guide means arevertically aligned respectively to define six similar channels 2%, 200.Said channels 2%, 2% extend vertically from a point substantially belowthe rollers 176, 176 to an upper end portion of the elevator 14.

The book guide means 186 is supported in the elevator 14 by attachmentof its left and right-hand plates 194 and 1% respectively with inner endportions of horizontally adjustable left and right-hand rack members 202and 264. Such attachment may be effected as by means of suitable screws2%, 2.06 as best shown in FIG. 8. The left and right-hand rack members292 and 204 are supported for horizontal inward and outward slidingmovement respectively by left and right-hand guide and support blocks296 and 2% and said blocks are mounted respectively on left andright-hand side frame plates 210 and 212 as by means of suitable screws214, 214. Left and right-hand pinions 216 and 218, drivingly engagedrespectively with the rack members 2&2 and 264, are fixedly mounted on ahorizontal shaft 220. The left-hand end portion of the shaft 229 isjournaled in the left-hand guide and support block 296 and a right-handend portion thereof is entered in a locking block 229 and journaled inthe right-hand guide and support block 2118. A small hand knob 222fixedly mounted on a left-hand end portion of the shaft 220 facilitatesmanual rotation of the same for horizontal inward and outward adjustmentof the rack members 202 and 204. Such adjustment may be accomplished tochange the horizontal position of the inner guide means 186 whereby toaccommodate books of varying thickness.

The above-mentioned left and right-hand side plates 210 and 212 formpart of a stationary frame of the elevator 14. Said frame also includesupper and lower longitudinally extending tie bars 224 and 226 fixedlyconnected to and extending between said side plates 210 and 212. Similarleft and right-hand upper support blocks 228 and 23d mountedrespectively on the side plates 21% and 212 adjacent the upper endportions thereof receive outer end portions of left and right-hand uppersupport rods 232 and 234. Inner end portions of said support rods areslidably received in suitable apertures in the left and righthand plates194 and 1% of the outer guide means 186, and said inner end portions arefixedly connected with the inner guide plate 189 as by suitable nuts236, 236 best shown in FIG. 8. Left and righthand lower support blocks238 and 240, mounted respectively on the side plates 2119 and 212,receive outer end portions of left and right-hand lower support rods 241and 242-. inner end portions of said lower support rods may be fixedlyconnected to the portion 188 of the machine frame as shown in FIG.- 8.

The elevator or elevator assembly 14 also includes a book elevatingtable indicated generally at 2 44 and which is operable to lift booksfrom the receiving table 174 one at a time and at regular intervalsbetween the guide means 186 and 186 and to a book receiving device suchas a presser unit. In accordance with the invention, the

elevating table operates in such a manner that the book 7 l 1 tionshown, the elevating table 244 comprises a body portion 246 which carhas six horizontally inwardly projecting lifting fingers 242, 243. Thefingers 24%, 248 are equally spaced longitudinallyand are adapted to beentered respectively in the six vertical channels 2%, 2th) when theelevating table 244 is moved to an inner horizontal position for anupward or book lifting stroke of the table. As will be seen, the table244 may also be moved to an outer horizontal position wherein thefingers 248, 2 .8 are retracted from the channels 2%, 26b. The table ismoved to said outer position for return or downward strokes whereby toaccommodate the delivery of a succeeding book to the receiving table1'74 prior to the arrival of the elevating table at its lowermostposition.

As shown, the body portion 246 of the book elevating table 244 ismounted for horizontal inward and outward sliding movement on a seriesof five longitudinally spaced horizontal support rods 259, 2 5%. Saidsupport rods d, 25% are fixedly connected to and supported by an upperend portion of a table support and drive member 252 as best illustratedin FIG. 8. The member 252 forms part of a vertically reciprocal meansfor operating the elevating table 24 5 as will be seen. Two of the tablesu port rods 25%, 259 have collars 254, 254 fixed thereon which serve asseats for springs 256, 256. Said springs 255, 256 serve to urge theelevating table 24!- horizontall inwardly to an inner position whereinthe body portion 246 of the table engages the drive member 252. In thisinner horizontal position or" the table, the fingers 248, 24% extendinto the channels 2%, 2% as stated. The location of the fingers 243, 248in the channels Elli), 2% is indicated in FIG. 8 wherein the fingers areshown in broken line form beneath a hook C approaching a presser unitduring a lifting stroke of the table.

Cam means are preferred for sliding the book elevating table 244outwardly against the urging of the springs 256, 256 during downward orreturn strokes of the table. As shown, said cam means comprises a pairof similar cam rollers 253, 258 mounted on opposite sides of the table244-. The cam rollers 253, 253 cooperate respectively with an additionalcam means mounted on the side plate 21%) and an additional cam meansmounted on the side plate 212. In FIG. i, the cam means mounted on theside plate 2.1% is clearly shown and the following description thereofis equally applicable to the cam means on the opposite side plate 212,said two cam means being identical in all respects.

The cam means on the side plate 23th includes a cam plate 26% which hasa downwardly and outwardly inclined upper surface 252 and asubstantially vertical. outer side surface 264. Said two surfaces 262and 264 constitute cam surfaces which are engaged by the left-hand camroller 258 during downward or return strokes of the elevating table 244.It will be obvious that said cam surfaces serve to guide the cam rol eroutwardly and downwardly during a beginning portion of a downward strokeof the table and substantially vertically downwardly during theremaining portion of the said downward stroke. Preferably, and as shown,a second cam plate 26d is mounted on the side plate Elli adjacent theupper end portion of the cam plate Said cam plate ass has a cam surface268 which'is spaced from but which conforms generally with the camsurface and with an upper portion of the cam surface 264 so as to definea cam track 270. The cam track 27% confines the cam roller 258 duringthe initial or beginning portion of each downward stroke of the tableand insures that the cam roller 258 will closely follow the cam surfaces262 and 264 at the point where said two surfaces join.

Means for engaging the cam roller 258 with the cam surface 26?. and thusentering said roller in the cam track 270 as the elevating table 244completes each book lifting stroke and starts a return stroke is alsomounted on the plate 216'. An identical means may be mounted on the 12side plate 212. As shown, said means comprises a gate member 272slidable between upper and lower guides 274- and 276. The guides 2,74and 276 are inclined so that the gate member 2'72. is slidabledownwardly and outwardly and, in an opposite direction, upwardly andinwardly. Springs 278, 278 urge the gate member 274 downwardly andoutwardly into a blocking position wherein it engages an upper endportion of the cam plate A first cam surface 286 on the gate memberextends linearly from the inclined surface 262 on said plate 26%. Asecond cam surface 282 on the gate member 272 faces generally downwardlyand is inclined upwardly and outwardly.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the lefthand cam roller 25%will engage the cam surface 232 on the gate member 272 shown as theelevating table-244 reaches the upper end portion of a book liftingstroke. Such engagement of the cam roller with the gate member .272 willcause the said member to be cammed aside in an upward and inwarddirection whereupon the cam roller can pass vertically upwardly. As theroller passes the gate member 272,. the said member will be urgeddownwardly and outwardly to the blocking position shown by the springs1278, 2'78. Subsequent downward movement of the cam roller 253 willresult in engagement of said roller with the cam surface 238 on the gatemember 272 and said cam surface will guide the cam roller outwardly anddownwardly onto the similarly inclined cam surface 2&2 for a return ordownward stroke of the elevating table 244 inits second or outerhorizontal position.

The path of movement of the cam rollers 258, 258 during book lifting andreturn strokes of the elevating table 244 should be apparent from theforegoing and is shown by small arrows in FIG. 8. The means for elfecbing the vertical components of this movement may take a variety offorms, but as shown the drive member 252 is connected with and isreciprocated vertically by power operating means of the book forming andpressing machine. A yokelike lower portion 284 of said member carries apivot pin 285 which is loosely received in a suitable bore in an upperend portion of an adjusting link 288. As best shown in FIG. 1, the lowerend portion of the adjusting link 2.88 is pivotally connected with anoscillable driving arm 2%. The arm 290 is connected with and isoscillated by a shaft 292 connected with power operating means for theforming and pressing machine by a means not shown. The shaft 292 and theaforementioned cam shaft 158 for the book stop and feed device arerotated by said power operating means in suitably timed relation toprovide for coordinated operation of the stop and feed device and theelevating table 244 of the elevator 14. That is, said two shafts areoperated in timed relation so that the book stop and feed devicedischarges books to the receiving table 174 in succession and at regularintervals between liftingstrokes of the elevating table 2 -34. The booksare lifted from said receiving table by the elevating table insuccession and at regular intervals to a presser unit at the loadingstation in the book forirdng and pressing machine. As a result of theprovisions which permit delivery of books to the receiving table 174during return strokes of the elevating table 244, high speed operationof the elevator 34 is obtainable. Complementary high speed operation ofthe book stop and feed device is also obta nable and without danger ofburning or marring of the book covers as is explained above.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a device adapted to receive books in succession from a continuousfeed conveyor and to discharge, the

books one at a time and at regular intervals; the combination of meansdefining an elongated channel having a discharge end and an inlet endfor successively receiving books in longitudinal alignment from acontinuous feed conveyor, stop means movable into said channel to engagea lead book therein and hold the same in a feed position against theurging of the books therebehind, an endless conveyor belt having onepass disposed longitudinally in said channel adjacent said feed positionbut out of feeding engagement with a book thereat, a drive pulleyoperatively engaged with said conveyor belt adjacent said inlet end ofsaid channel and providing for movement of said one pass thereof towardthe discharge end of said channel, a support pulley operatively engagedwith said conveyor belt adjacent the discharge end of said channel andmovable transversely to swing said one pass angularly into feedingengagement with a lead book' at said feed position and to transport thebook toward the discharge end of the channel, and operating meansformoving said stop means and said belt support pulley alternatelywhereby to first hold and then discharge successive lead books from thechannel.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive andsupport pulleys are arranged so that a front end portion of said onepass of the conveyor belt adjacent the discharge end of said channel islocated so as to be in feeding engagement with an adjacent book when theportion of said one pass of the belt adjacent said feed position is outof feeding engagement with a book at said position.

3. In a device adapted to receive books in succession from a continuousfeed conveyor and to discharge the books one at a time and at regularintervals, an elongated flat base plate fixedly supported in ahorizontal plane adjacent the discharge end of a continuous feedconveyor, a first elongated flat side plate fixedly supported in avertical plane adjacent one side edge portion of said base plate, asecond elongated flat side plate extending adjacent an opposite sideedge portion of said base plate and supported for horizontal swingingmovement about a vertical axis adjacent the discharge end of saidcontinuous conveyor, said three plates cooperatively defining anelongated channel having a discharge end and an inlet end forsuccessively receiving books from the continuous feed conveyor in endabutting relationship, a pair of stop fingers movable transversely intosaid channel from opposite sides to engage a lead book therein and holdthe same in a feed position against the urging of the books therebehind,a first endless conveyor belt having one pass disposed longitudinally insaid channel adjacent said first elongated side plate and driven towardthe discharge end of said channel, a second endless conveyor belt havingone pass disposed longitudinally in said channel adjacent said secondelongated side plate, a support pulley for said second conveyor beltmounted on an end portion of said second side plate adjacent thedischarge end of said channel and movable with said plate end portion, adrive and support pulley for said second conveyor belt supportedadjacent the opposite end portion of said second side plate and drivingsaid belt so that said one pass thereof travels toward the discharge endof said channel at a rate substantially equal to the rate of movement ofsaid one pass of said firstconveyor belt, operating means for swingingsaid second side plate horizontally from a first position wherein saidone pass of said second conveyor belt is located so as to be in feedingengagement with a book adjacent said discharge end of said channel butout of feeding engagement with a lead book at said feed position to asecond position wherein the said one pass is swung inwardly in thechannel into feeding engagement with a lead book at said feed positionwhereby to transport the same toward the discharge end of the channel,and means for actuating said stop fingers and said operating means forsaid second side plate alternately whereby to first hold and thendischarge successive lead books from the channel.

4. In a device adapted to receive books in succession from a continuousfeed conveyor and to discharge the books one at a time and at regularintervals; the combination of means defining an elongated channel havinga discharge end and an inlet end for successively receiving books inlongitudinal alignment from a continuous feed conveyor, first stop meansmovable from a position outside said channel into the channel to engagea lead book therein and hold the same in a feed position against theurging of the books therebehind, feed means comprising a conveyor beltpass normally out of feeding engagement with a lead book at said feedposition in said channel but swingable angularly about an axis adjacentsaid channel inlet end into feeding engagement with such a book totransport the same toward the discharge end of the channel at a rate inexcess of the rate of movement of books into the channel, second stopmeans disposed rearwardly of said first stop means and movable from aposi tion outside said channel into the channel between a lead book anda book therebehind to engage and hold the latter during discharge of thelead book from the channel, and means for operating said first andsecond stop means and said feed means in timed relation so that a bookentering the channel from the continuous feed conveyor is arrested insuccession by said second and said first stop means and is thereafterdischarged from the channel by said feed means with the feed means at notime in feeding engagement with a book while it is being held by eitherof said stop means.

5. In a device adapted to receive books in succession from a continuousfeed conveyor and to discharge the books one at a time and at regularintervals; the combination of means defining an elongated channel havinga discharge end and an inlet end for successively receiving books inlongitudinal alignment from a continuous feed conveyor, first stop meansmovable from a position outside said channel into the channel to engagea lead book therein and hold the same in a feed position against theurging of the books therebehind, an endless conveyor belt having onepass disposed longitudinally in said channel adjacent said feed positionbut out of feeding engagement with a book thereat, means supporting saidconveyor belt and driving the same so that said one pass thereof travelstoward the discharge end of said channel, said means being movable toswing said one pass of said conveyor belt angularly about an axisadjacent said channel inlet end into feeding engagement with a lead bookat said feed position whereby to transport the book toward the dischargeend of said channel at a rate in excess of the rate of movement of booksinto the channel, second stop means disposed rearwardly of said firststop means and movable at the urging of spring means from a positionoutside said channel into the channel between a lead book and a booktherebehind to engage and hold the latter during discharge of the leadbook from the channel, and means for moving said first and second stopmeans and said belt support and drive means in timed relation so that abook entering the channel from the continuous feed conveyor is arrestedin succession by said second and said first stop means and is thereafterdischarged from the channel by said conveyor belt with the said one passof said belt at no time in feeding engagement with a book while it isbeing held by either of said stop means.

6. In a device adapted to receive books in succession from a continuousfeed conveyor and to discharge the books one at a time and at regularintervals, an elongated flat base plate fixedly supported in ahorizontal plane adjacent the discharge end of a continuous feedconveyor, a first elongated flat side plate fixedly supported in avertical plane adjacent one side edge portion of said base plate, asecond elongated flat side plate extending adjacent an opposite sideedge portion of said base plate and supported for horizontal swingingmovement about a vertical axis adjacent the discharge end of saidcontinuous conveyor, said three plates cooperatively defining anelongated channel having a discharge end and an inlet end forsuccessively receiving books from the continuous feed conveyor in endabutting relationship, a first pair of stop fingers movable frompositions outside said channel transversely into" said channel fromopposite sides to engage a lead book therein and hold the same in a feedposition against the urging of the books therebehind, a first endlessconveyor belt having one pass disposed longitudinally in said channeladjacent said first elongated side plate and driven toward the dischargeend of said channel at a rate in excess of the rate of movement of booksinto the channel, a second endless conveyor belt having one passdisposed longitudinally in said channel adjacent said second elongatedside plate, a support pulley for said second conveyor belt mounted on anend portion of said second side plate adjacent the discharge end of saidchannel and movable with said plate end portion, a drive and supportpulley for said second conveyor belt supported adjacent the opposite endportion of said second side plate and driving said belt so that said onepass thereof travels toward the discharge end of said channel at a ratesubstantially equal to the rate of movement of said one pass of saidfirst conveyor belt, operating means for swinging said second side platehorizontally from a first position wherein said one pass of said secondconveyor belt is located so as to be in feeding engagement with a bookadjacent said discharge end of said channel but out of feedingengagement with a lead book at said feed position to a second positionwherein the said one pass is swung inwardly in the channel so as to bein feeding engagement with a lead book at said feed position whereby totransport the same towardthe discharge end of the channel, a second pairof stop fingers disposed rearwardly of said first pair of stop fingersand movable at the urging of'spring means from positions outside saidchannel transversely into said channel from opposite sides and between alead book and a book therebehind to engage and hold the latter duringdischarge of the lead book from the channel, and means for actuatingsaid first and second pairs of stop fingers and said operating means forsaid second side plate in timed relation so that a book entering thechannel from the continuous feed conveyor is arrested in succession bysaid second and said first pairs of stop fingers and is thereafterdischarged 'from the channel by said conveyor belts with said belts atno time in feeding engagement with a book while it is being held byeither of said pairs of stop fingers.

7. in a device adapted to receive books in succession from a continuousfeed conveyor and to discharge the books one at a time and at regularintervals; the combination of means defining an elongated channel havinga discharge end and an inlet end for successively receiving books inlongitudinal alignment from a continuous feed conveyor, movable stopmeans spring'biased into said channel to engage a lead book therein andhold the same in a feed position against the urging of the booksthereehind, feed means comprising a conveyor belt pass normally out offeeding engagement with a lead book at said feed position in saidchannel but swingable angularly about an axis adjacent said channelinlet end into feeding engagement with such a book'to transport the sametoward the discharge end of said channel at a rate in excess of the rateof movement of books into the channel, and operating means for said stopmeans and feed means adapted to move said stop means out of said channeland to move said feed means for discharge of a lead book at said feedposition from the channel, said operating means serving also to permitsaid stop means to be spring biased back into said channel duringdischarge of a lead book whereby to stop a book therebehind at said feedposition.

8. In a device adapted to receive books in succession from a continuousfeed conveyor and to discharge the books one at a time and at regularintervals, an elongated flat base plate fixedly supported in ahorizontal plane adjacent the discharge end of a continuous feedconveyor, a first elongated flat side plate fixedly supported in avertical plane adjacent one side edge portion of said base plate, asecond elongated fiat side plate extending adjacent an opposite sideedge portion of said base plate and supported for horizontal swingingmovement about a vertical axis adjacent the discharge end of saidcontinuous conveyor, said three plates cooperatively defining anelongated channel having a discharge end and an inlet end forsuccessively receiving books from the continuous feed conveyor in endabutting relationship, a pair of movable stop fingers spring biasedtransversely into said channel from opposite sides to engage a lead booktherein and hold the same in a feed position against the urging of bookstherebehind, a first endless conveyor belt having one pass disposedlongitudinally in said channel adjacent said first elongated side plateand driven toward the discharge end of said channel at a rate in excessof the rate of movement of books into the channel, a second endlessconveyor belt having one pass disposed longitudinally in said channeladjacent said second elongated side plate, a support pulley for saidsecond conveyor belt mounted on an end portion of said second side plateadjacent the discharge end of said channel and movable with said plateend portion, a drive and support pulley for said second conveyor beltsupported adjacent the opposite end portion of said second side plateand driving said belt so that said one pass thereof travels toward thedischarge end of said channel at a rate substantially equal to the rateof movement of said one pass of said first conveyor belt, operatingmeans for swinging said second side plate horizontally from a firstposition wherein said one pass of said second conveyor belt is locatedso as to be in feeding engagement with a book adjacent said dischargeend of said channel but out of feeding engagement with a lead book atsaid feed position to a second position wherein the said one pass isswung inwardly in the channel so as to be in feeding engagement with alead book at said feed position whereby to transport the same toward thedischarge end of the channel, and operating means for said stop fingersand said operating means for said second side plate adapted to move saidstop fingers out of said channel and to cause said side plate to swinginwardly for discharge of a lead book at saidifeed position from thechannel, said operating means serving also to permit said stop fingersto be spring biased back into said channel during discharge of a leadbook from the channel whereby to stop a book therebehind at said feedposition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNZTED STATES PATENTS2,325,889 Thompson et al. Aug, 3, 1943 2,650,728 Goodwyn Sept. 1, 19532,777,562 McCahon et al "Jan. 15, 1957 2,872,057 Wagner et al. Feb. 3,1959 2,907,447 Otlutt et al. Oct. 6, 1959

1. IN A DEVICE ADAPTED TO RECEIVE BOOKS IN SUCCESSION FROM A CONTINUOUSFEED CONVEYOR AND TO DISCHARGE THE BOOKS ONE AT A TIME AND AT REGULARINTERVALS; THE COMBINATION OF MEANS DEFINING AN ELONGATED CHANNEL HAVINGA DISCHARGE END AND AN INLET END FOR SUCCESSIVELY RECEIVING BOOKS INLONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT FROM A CONTINUOUS FEED CONVEYOR, STOP MEANSMOVABLE INTO SAID CHANNEL TO ENGAGE A LEAD BOOK THEREIN AND HOLD THESAME IN A FEED POSITION AGAINST THE URGING OF THE BOOKS THEREBEHIND, ANENDLESS CONVEYOR BELT HAVING ONE PASS DISPOSED LONGITUDINALLY IN SAIDCHANNEL ADJACENT SAID FEED POSITION BUT OUT OF FEEDING ENGAGEMENT WITH ABOOK THEREAT, A DRIVE PULLEY OPERATIVELY ENGAGED WITH SAID CONVEYOR BELTADJACENT SAID INLET END OF SAID CHANNEL AND PROVIDING FOR MOVEMENT OFSAID ONE PASS THEREOF TOWARD THE DISCHARGE END OF SAID CHANNEL, ASUPPORT PULLEY OPERATIVELY ENGAGED WITH SAID CONVEYOR BELT ADJACENT THEDISCHARGE END OF SAID CHANNEL AND MOVABLE TRANSVERSELY TO SWING SAID ONEPASS ANGULARLY INTO FEEDING ENGAGEMENT WITH A LEAD BOOK AT SAID FEEDPOSITION AND TO TRANSPORT THE BOOK TOWARD THE DISCHARGE END OF THECHANNEL, AND OPERATING MEANS FOR MOVING SAID STOP MEANS AND SAID BELTSUPPORT PULLEYS ALTERNATELY WHEREBY TO FIRST HOLD AND THEN DISCHARGESUCCESSIVE LEAD BOOKS FROM THE CHANNEL.